Modular room divider

ABSTRACT

A modular room divider comprises a plurality of interconnected divider modules, each module including an upright panel body having spaced-apart outer side surfaces and panel end members releasably secured to the opposite ends thereof, each end member having a vertical row of mounting openings in each of the outer side surfaces thereof for mounting accessory equipment thereon, each end member having upper and lower pairs of hinge members thereon with the hinge members of each pair being respectively disposed adjacent to the outer side surfaces of the panel body, each of the hinge members of one pair having a pintle and each of the hinge members of the other pair having a socket, each pintle on one end member being constructed and arranged complementary to a socket on the other end member, whereby each module can be pivotally coupled to as many as four other adjacent modules; support legs and levelers are also disclosed and terminal members are provided for covering the hinge members at the free ends of the modules and terminating them in smooth edges.

[451 Mar. 18, 1975 1 1 MODULAR ROOM DIVIDER [75] Inventor: Dale R.Lopatka, Hawthorn Woods,

[73] Assignee: Reflector Hardware Corporation,

Melrose Park, 111.

[22] Filed: Apr. 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 349,273

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 130,227,April 1, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] US. Cl 160/135, 160/329 R, 160/351,

[51] Int. Cl A47g 5/00 [58] Field of Search 160/135, 229 R, 351;

Primary E.\'aminerPeter M. Caun Attorney, Agent, or FirmDressler,Goldsmith. Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT A modular room divider comprises a plurality ofinterconnected divider modules, each module including an upright panelbody having spaced-apart outer side surfaces and panel end membersreleasably secured to the opposite ends thereof, each end member havinga vertical row of mounting openings in each of the outer side surfacesthereof for mounting accessory equipment thereon, each end member havingupper and lower pairs of hinge members thereon with the hinge members ofeach pair being respectively disposed adjacent to the outer sidesurfaces of the panel body. each of the hinge members of one pair havinga pintle and each of the hinge members of the other pair having asocket, each pintle on one end member being constructed and arrangedcomplementary to a socket on the other end member, whereby each modulecan be pivotally coupled to as many as four other adjacent modules;support legs and levelers are also disclosed and terminal members areprovided for covering the hinge members at the free ends of the modulesand terminating them in smooth edges.

13 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Pmmzu I 81% V 3 .871 .435 SHEET 1 0r 5FIG.!

INVEN TOR DALE R. LOPA TKA PATENTEUHAR I 81975 SHEET 3 [IF 5 FmaPATENIEU m 1 a 1915 sum u or 5 PATENTEB AR 1 81975 sum 5 or 5 FIG.

R... JL-J.

MODULAR ROOM DIVIDER This a continuation of application Ser. No.130,227, filed Apr. 1, 1971, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to room dividers and, more particularly,to a modular room divider specially adapted for use in an office.

It is a general object of this invention to provide room divider moduleswhich may be quickly and easily interconnected to assemble a modularroom divider which can be arranged in numerous different configurations.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a modular roomdivider comprising a plurality of interconnected divider modules, eachof the divider modules including an upstanding panel and two sets ofcoupling members, the two sets of coupling members being respectivelyfixedly mounted on the panel adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, eachof the sets of coupling members including two spaced-apart couplingmembers respectively fixedly disposed adjacent to the two spaced-apartouter side surfaces of the panel, each of the coupling members beingconstructed and arranged complementary to a corresponding couplingmember on an adjacent module for coupling engagement there with toprovide a pivotal coupling therebetween, whereby each divider module maybe simultaneously pivotally coupled to as many as four other dividermodules to form the room divider and to accommodate arrangement thereofin numerous different configurations.

It is another object of this invention to provide a modular room dividerof the type set forth wherein one of the sets of coupling memberscomprises a first set and the other set of coupling members comprises asecond set, each of the hinge members in the first set being constructedand arranged complementary to one of the hinge members in the sedondset.

it is another object of this invention to provide, a modular roomdivider of the type set forth, wherein at least one of the outer sidesurfaces of the panel has a plurality of spaced-apart mounting openingstherein shaped and arranged for receiving mounting members of associatedaccessory equipment to support such equipment in any of severaldifferent positions on the module.

It is another object of this invention to provide a modular room dividerof the type set forth, wherein each of the divider modules includes anupstanding panel body and two coupling assemblies respectively connectedto the panel body at the opposite ends thereof, each of the couplingassemblies including an upright panel end member being connected to theadjacent end of the panel body and having two spacedapart outer sidesurfaces respectively disposed in use adjacent to the outer sidesurfaces of the panel body, the mounting openings being formed in atleast one of the outer side surfaces of the panel end member, and thesets of coupling members being respectively carried by the panel endmembers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a room dividermodule for interconnection with associated like modules to form amodular room divider, the room divider module comprising an upstandingpanel, two sets of coupling members respectively fixedly mounted on thepanel adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, each of the sets ofcoupling membes including two spaced-apart coupling members respectivelyfixedly disposed adjacent to the two spaced-apart outer side surfaces ofthe panel, each of the coupling membes being constructed and arrangedcomplementary to a corresponding coupling member on an associatedadjacent module for coupling engagement therewith to provide a pivotalcoupling therebetween, whereby the divider module may be simultaneouslypivotally coupled to as many as four different associated dividermodules for forming a room divider which may readily be arranged innumerous different configurations.

It is another object of this invention to provide a room divider moduleof the type set forth, wherein one of the sets of coupling memberscomprises a first set and the other set of coupling me rnbers comprisesa second set, each of the hinge members in the first set beingconstructed and arranged complementary to one of the hinge members inthe second set.

it is another object of this invention to provide a room divider moduleof the type set forth, wherein at least one of the outer side surfacesof the panel has a plurality of spaced-apart mounting openings thereinspaced and arranged for receiving mounting members of associatedaccessory equipment to support such equipment in any ofseveral differentpositions on the module.

It is another object of this invention to provide a room divider moduleof the type set forth, wherein the panel has two openings at the bottomthereof respectively disposed adjacent to the opposite ends thereof, andfurther including a support pedestal including a horizontally extendingbase having a flat bottom surface for supporting the pedestal on anassociated underlying support surface and an attachment leg secured tothe base intermediate the ends thereof and extending vertically upwardlytherefrom, the attachment leg being receivable in one of the openings inthe panel for attachment thereto to support the panel in a stableupright position on the associated support surface.

It is another object of this invention to provide a room divider moduleof the type set forth, which .includes an upstanding panel body and twocoupling assemblies respectively connected to thepanel body at theopposite ends thereof, each of the coupling assem-- blies including anupright hollow tubular panel end member connected to the adjacent end ofthe panel body and having two spaced-apart outer side surfacesrespectively disposed in use adjacent to the outer side surfaces of thepanel body, the mounting openings being formed in at least one of theouter side surfaces ofthe panel end member, the sets of coupling membersbeing respectively carried by the panel end members, and the attachmentleg being received in the lower end of the hollow end members.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the parts of the modular room divider whereby the above-outlined andadditional operating features thereof are attained. The invention, bothas to its organization and method of operation, together with furtherobjects and advantages thereof will best be understood by reference tothe following specification taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular room divider constructed inaccordance with and embodying the features of the present invention,illustrating several of the possible types of interconnection betweenthe divider modules and the mounting of several types of accessoryequipment thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the modular room divider illustrated inFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view in partial section ofthe coupling junction designated by the numeral 3. in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view in partial section ofthe coupling junction designated by the numeral 4. in FIG. 2; I

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the coupling junction illustrated in FIG.4, with the two adjacent modules shown separated from each other;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front perspective view of the coupling junctionshow n in FIG. 4, illustrating the manner in which the adjacent modulesare moved into engagement with each other;

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6, and showing the modules after theyhave been interconnected;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of the couplingjunction of FIG. 3, as viewed from the left hand side thereof;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, showing another type of pivotalinterconnection between two adjacent modules;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged front perspective partiallyexploded view of atypical room divider module according to the present invention with aportion of the panel covering material broken away and with one of thefinishing strips partially removed;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a portion of a roomdivider according to the present invention, illustrating the use of asupport pedestal and leveler screws to support the module in a stableupright position on an underlying support surface;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged view in vertical section taken along the line12-12 in FIG. 11, and illustrating the support pedestal;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view in vertical section of one ofthe panel end members of the present invention, illustrating theconnection ofa leveler screw thereto;

FIG. 14 is a front elevational view ofa terminal member for use in thepresent invention with a portion thereof'removed; v

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the terminal member of FIG. 14,illustrating the orientation thereof when coupled to an associatedmodule; and

FIG. 16 is a view in horizontal section of the support pedestal, takenalong the line 16-16 in FIG. 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is illustrated amodular room divider, generally designated by the numeral 50, andcomprising a plurality of interconnected room divider modules,respectively generally designated by the numerals 60A, 60B, 60C, 60D,60E, 60F, 60G, and 60H. Referring also to FIG. 10 of the drawings, eachof the room divider modules 60, comprises a panel body 70 and two panelend members 90, each of the panel end members 90 having a pair of malehinge members 100 and a pair of female hinge members 110 securedthereto. The panel body 70 preferably comprises a substrate 71 in theform of a solid rectangular parallelopiped of suitable material such asplywood, and having outer side surfaces 72 and 73, a top surface 74, abottom surface 76 and a pair of end surfaces 77 and 78, all as viewed inFIG. 10. In use, the panel body 70 is normally arranged in an upstandingposition, with the outer side surfaces 72 and 73 and the end surfaces 77and 78 disposed substantially vertically, and with the top and bottomsurfaces 74 and 76 disposed substantially horizontally. The outer sidesurfaces 73 and 74 are each preferably covered by a layer of suitablecovering material 75 which may be of any desired material, such asvinyl, but is preferably designed to perform both decorative andsounddeadening functions. Thus, the covering material 75 may compriseacoustical tiles, carpeting or any other suitable material. The top andbottom surfaces 74 and 76 of the substrate 71 are each provided withlongitudinally extending grooves 79 therein, each groove 79 beingdisposed substantially midway between the outer side surfaces 72 and 73and extending from the end surface 77 to the end surface 78.

Secured to the panel body 70 at the top and bottom thereof are twoidentically constructed finishing strips, generally designated by thenumeral 80, each of the finishing strips 80 including a thin flat base81 having a flat outer surface 82 and an inner surface 83 and having alength substantially equal to the length of the top and bottom surfaces74 and 76 of the panel substrate 71. Integral with the inner surface 83of the base 81 and extending outwardly therefrom substantially normalthereto for a distance substantially equal to the depth of the groove 79in an attachment tongue 85 having a plurality of teeth or serrations 86on the opposite side surfaces thereof. The tongue 85 runs centrally ofthe base 81 the entire length thereof, the maximum lateral dimensions ofthe serrated tongue 85 being slightly greater than the width of thegrooves 79 in the panel body substrate 71. The finishing strips 80 arepreferably formed of an integral strip of resilient, flexible materialfor ease of handling and to accommodate insertion of the toothed flange85 into the grooves 79. In use, the attachment tongue 85 is force-fittedinto the groove 79 on the top or bottom surface of the panel bodysubstrate 71 until the inner surface 83 of the finishing strip 80contacts the adjacent top surface 74 or bottom surface 76 of the panelbody substrate 71. When thus fixed in position on the panel body 70, theteeth 86 on the tongue 85 grippingly engage the sides of the grooves 79and firmly hold the finishing strip 80 in position.

The panel end members 90 are identically constructed, whereby only theleft-hand one of these end members 90, as viewed in FIG. 10, will bedescribed in detail. The end member 90 is of generally hollow tubularconstruction, being substantially rectangular in transverse crosssection, and having two side walls 92 and 93 and two end walls 94 and96. The end walls 94 and 96 have a width substantially equal to thetotal thickness of the panel body 70, i.e., the thickness of thesubstrate 71 plus the thickness of the covering sheets 75. The end walls94 and 96 are each provided with three spaced-apart aligned openings 97therethrough for accommodating therein associated mounting screws 98(see FIGS. 8 and 9) for securely fastening the end member 90 to theadjacent end surfaces 77 or 78 of the panel body 70. The end member 90has a length substantially equal to the length of the end surfaces 77and 78 of the panel body substrate 71'so that, when mounted in positionthereon, the top and bottom edges of the end member 90 will besubstantially flush with the top and bottom surfaces 74 and 76 of thepanel body substrate 71. When thus secured in position on the substrate71, the outer surfaces of the side walls 92 and 94 of the end member 90are respectively substantially coplanar with the outer side surfaces ofthe covering sheets 75 on the panel body 70. Each of the side walls 92and 93 of the end member 90 is provided with a vertically aligned row ofequidistantly spaced-apart mounting slots 95 therein, for a purpose tobe described more fully hereinafter. The open top and bottom ends of theend member 90 are each closed by an end cap 99 which is received in andcloses the adjacent end of the end member 90.

The end member 90 is provided at the upper end thereof with a pair ofmale hinge members 100 and at the lower end thereof with a pair offemale hinge members 110. Referring now also to FIGS. 6 through 9 of thedrawings, the male hinge members 100 are identically constructed and arerespectively secured to the outer surfaces of the side walls 92 and 93of the end member 90. Accordingly, only the front one of these hingemembers 100, as viewed in FIG. 10, will be described in detail. Thehinge member 100 includes an attachment flange 101 secured by suitablemeans to the outer surface of the side wall 92 of the end member 90 sothat the upper edge of the attachment flange 101 is substantially flushwith the upper edge of the side wall 92. Integral with and verticallycoextensive with the attachment flange 101 and extending outwardly therefrom a slight distance beyond the outer surfaces of the outer end wall96 and the side wall 92 of the end member 90, is a generally cylindricalknuckle 103 having fixedly secured thereto and extending downwardlytherefrom a generally cylindrical pintle 105, which has a diameterslightly less than the outer diameter of the knuckle 103. The rear oneof the male hinge members 100 is connected in like manner to the outersurface of the side wall 93 of the end member 90, with the knuckle 103thereof extending outwardly a slight distance beyond the outer surfacesof the end wall 96 and the side wall 93 of the end member 90.Preferably, the hinge members 100 and the end member 90 are eachconstructed .of metal, whereby the attachment flanges 101 may be weldedto the end member 90.

Similarly, the female hinge members 110 are respectively secured to theside walls 92 and 93 of the end member 90 and are identicallyconstructed, whereby only the front one of the hinge members 110, asviewed in FIG. 10, will be described in detail. The hinge member 110 isprovided with a flat attachment flange 111 secured to the outer surfaceof the side wall 92 of the end member 90, with the bottom edge of theattachment flange 111 spaced above the bottom edge of the end member 90a distance substantially equal to the vertical width of the attachmentflanges 101 of the male hinge members 100. Integral with and verticallycoextensive with the attachment flange 111 and extending outwardlytherefrom a slight distance beyond the outer surfaces of the outer endwall 96 and the side wall 92 of the end member 90 is generallycylindrical knuckle 113 having an outer diameter substantially equal tothe outer diameter of the knuckles 103 of the male hinge members 100.Extending axially through the knuckle 113 is a cylindrical openingdefining a socket 115 which has a diameter slightly greater than theouter diameter of the pintles 105 on the male hinge members 100 andadapted to receive a pintle 105 therein to form a pivotal hinge couplingin standard fashion. In like manner, the outer one of the female hingemembers 110 is secured to the outer surface of the side wall 93 of theend member 90, with the knuckle 113 thereof extending outwardly a slightdistance beyond the outer surfaces of the end wall 96 and the side wall93 of the end member 90.

While the two end members are identically constructed as describedabove, they are arranged on the panel body 70 in inverted relationshipwith respect to each other. Thus, the left-hand one of the end members90, as viewed in FIG. 10, is arranged in an inserting configuration withthe male hinge members disposed at the upper end thereof and the femalehinge members disposed at the lower end thereof, to thereby define aninserting end of the module 60. Conversely, the right-hand one of theend members 90, as viewed in FIG. 10, is arranged upside down in areceiving configuration with the female hinge members 110 disposed atthe upper end thereof and with the male hinge members 110 disposed atthe lower end thereof, thereby to define a receiving end of the module60. As will be observed in FIG. 10, when the end member 90 is disposedin this receiving configuration, the pintles 105 of the male hingemembers 100 extend upwardly. This arrangement of the end members 90 onthe panel body 70 facilitates the interconnection of a series of modules60, all as will be described in detail below.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 13 of the drawings, the module 60 maybe provided with a support pedestal which includes a generallyrectangular elongated base 121 and an upstanding attachment leg 125, thebase 121 having a flat upper surface 122 and a flat lower surface 122Afor contact with an underlying floor or other support surface 119. Theattachment leg comprises a pair of channe1-shaped members 123, each ofwhich includes flat side flanges 126 and a depressed center section 124.The channel-shaped members 123 are arranged back-to-back with the centersections 124 abutting each other as illustrated in FIG. 12, andpreferably being welded together. The attachment leg 125 is secured atthe bottom end thereof by suitable means, such as welding, to the uppersurface 122 of the base 121. Preferably, the attachment leg 125 ispositioned midway between the ends of the base 121 and adjacent to oneside edge thereof. The center sections 124 of the channel-shaped members123 are each provided with aligned elongated slots 127 therein Theattachment leg 125 is dimensioned to be receivable in one end of eitherof the panel end members 90 in telescoping relationship therewith, withthe base 121 disposed laterally of the module 60 and extending outwardlywell beyond the outer side surfaces of the module 60. In use, the bottomend cap 99 and the bottom one of the mounting screws 98 are removed fromthe lower end of one of the end members 90, and the attachment leg 125may be inserted into the open lower end of the end member 90 until theslot 127 is disposed in alignment with the mounting screw openings toreceive the bottom screw 98 therethrough. When thus secured in positionthe pedestal 120 supports the module 60 in a stable vertical position,the slot 127 permitting slight vertical adjustment of the attachment leg125 in the end member 90 to vary the height at which the module 60 issupported above support surface 119 and maintain the module 60 level. Itwill be appreciated that the support pedestal 120 is particularly usefulon the end ones of a tandem string of modules or for supporting a singlemodule by itself.

In order to further stabilize the module 60 on the support surface 119,a leveler screw, generally designated support surface 119 to maintainthe bottom edge of the,

module 60 substantially horizontal despite any unevenness in thesupportsurface 119.

It will be appreciated that when two or more of the modules 60 areinterconnected, one end of each of certain of the modules 60 will befree or unconnected, whereby the hinge members 100 and 110 thereof willproject outwardly beyond the outer side surface of the adjacent endmember 90, creating unsightly and possibly hazardous obstructions.Accordingly, there are provided terminal members, generally designatedby the numeral 140, for covering these exposed free ends of the modules60. Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15 of the drawings, the terminal member140 preferably comprises a solid elongated body 141 which issubstantially rectangular in transverse cross section and which has alength equal to the vertical extent of the panel end member 90 and athickness equal to the distance between the outer surfaces of the sidewalls 92 and 93 of the end member 90. The body 141 is provided withgrooves 142 in the top and bottom surfaces thereof extending fromthefront to the rear thereof for receiving therein the serrated tonguesof finishing strips 147 which are identical, except as to length, to thefinishing strips 80. The outer end surface of the body 141 has securedthereto a suitable covering sheet 144 which may be of vinyl or any othersuitable material. The inner end surface of the body 141 is providedwith grooves or recesses 146 therein adjacent to the upper and lowerends thereof for respectively accommodating therein male hinge members100 and female hinge members 110.

More particularly, a pair of male hinge members 100 is provided at theupper end of the body 141, the hinge members 100 being respectivelydisposed adjacent to the outer side surfaces of the body 141, and a pairof female hinge members 110 are disposed adjacent to the lower end ofthe body 141 with the hinge members 110 also being respectively disposedadjacent to the outer side surfaces of the body 141. The attachmentflanges 101 of each of the male hinge members 100 are secured bysuitable means to the recessed portion 146 of the inner end surface ofthe body 141, with the knuckles 103 of the hinge members 110respectively extending inwardly a slight distance beyond the inner endsurface ofthe body 141 and outwardly a slight distance beyond the outerside surfaces of the body 141, as illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15. Theupper edges of the attachment flanges 101 are disposed substantiallyflush with the upper edge of the body 141. In like manner, the femalehinge members 110 are disposed with the attachment flanges 113 thereofsecured by suitable means to the recessed portion 146 at the lower endof the inner end surface of the body 141, with the bottom edges of theattachment flanges 113 being disposed above the bottom edge of the body141 a distance substantially equal to the vertical extent of theattachment flanges 101 of the male hinge members 100.

Thus, in use, the pair of male members 100 and the pair of female hingemembers 110 on the terminal member 140 are respectively engageable withthe female and male hinge members at the right-hand end of a module 60,as viewed in FIG. 15, for effectively covering the free end of themodule 60 and presenting the smooth surface 144 to passing pedestraintraffic. In this manner, there is provided both a safe and estheticallypleasing termination to the free ends of the modules 60, with no sharpprojecting surfaces which might snap passers-by. It will also beappreciated that the terminal member 140 might be adapted forestablishing an anchor or attachment to a permanent wall.

It is a significant feature of the present invention that each of themodules 60 is adapted to have mounted thereon accessory equipment, suchas shelves, cabinets and the like. More particularly, referring to FIGS.1 and 2 of the drawings, it will be noted that the vertical rows ofmounting slots in each of the panel end members 90 are arranged toreceive therein complementarily shaped mounting members (not shown)disposed on the rear surfaces of associated accessory equipment such asshelves 150, cabinets 151, tables or counters 152, etc., in an obviousmanner. Each of these accessory articles preferably has a widthsubstantially equal to the width of a module 60, with the mountingmembers arranged adjacent to the opposite ends of the accessory article.Thus, the modular room divider 50 of the present invention may beutilized not only to partition a room into any number'of differentlyshaped subdivisions, but it also affords the simple furnishing of thesubdivisions with module-mounted articles of furniture or otheraccessories.

The interconnection of modules 60 to assemble the modular room divider50 will now be described in detail. Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9 ofthe drawings, it will be seen that the modules60 may be interconnectedin several different ways to form a wide variety of differentconfigurations. First of all, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8, twomodules 60 may be pivotally interconnected by coupling together only thehinge along one .one module may be lowered into engagement with thehinge members along one edge of the receiving end of the other module.For example, the pintle 105 of the upper male hinge member on the rearedge (as viewed in FIG. 8) of the inserting end of module 60H is loweredinto the socket 115 of the upper female hinge member 113 on the rearedge of the receiving end of module 606. Similarly, the socket 115 ofthe lower female hinge member 110 on the rear edge of the inserting endof the module 60H is lowered over the pintle of the lower male hingemember 100 on the rear edge of the receiving end of the module 600. Thepivotal coupling thus formed between the modules 606 and 601-1, asillustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, permits pivotal movement of the modules606 and 601-! with respect to each other through an angle of about l80,between a straight-line configuration wherein the modules are disposedsubstantially in longitudinal alignment with each other and aside-by-side configuration wherein the modules are disposedsubstantially parallel to each other. It will, of course, be appreciatedthat, While the modules 606 and 60H have been illustrated as beinginterconnected along the rear edges thereof, (as viewed in FIG. 8), theinterconnection could just as well be effected along the front edgesthereof in the same manner as described above.

each other, as described above, it is also possible to pivotallyinterconnect the front edge of one module with the rear edge of anadjacent module, as illustrated in FIG. 9. This type of pivotalinterconnection will permit the interconnected modules 60 to be pivotedwith respect to each other through an angle of about 180, between afirst right-angle configuration wherein the end of one module abutsagainst the side of the other module and a second right-angleconfiguration wherein the end of the other module abuts against the sideof the one module. This arrangement is useful to more effectively formright angle corners of divided portions of a room.

If it is desired to interconnect two adjacent modules 60 so as toprevent pivotal movement thereof with respect to each other, the modulesmay be interconnected along both the front and rear edges thereof, asillustrated by the interconnection between the modules 60D and 60E inFIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7. In this type of interconnection, the adjacentmodules are placed in longitudinal alignment with each other with theinserting end of module 60D adjacent to the receiving end of the module60F, as shown in FIG. 6. The hinge members on the inserting end of themodule 60D are then lowered into engagement with the hinge members onthe receiving end of the module 60E, in the direction of the arrow inFIG. 6, to form the interconnection shown in FIG. 7. It will be notedthat in this type of interconnection the hinge members on the frontedges of the modules 60D and 60E are engaged with each other while thehinge members on the rear edges of the modules 60D and 60E are engagedwitheach other. Thus, the modules 60E and 60D are securely lockedtogether in alignment with each other, thereby preventing any pivotalmovement therebetween.

It will also be appreciated that the present invention permits theinterconnection at a common junction of more than two modules 60. Moreparticularly, a module may simultaneously be coupled to as many as fourdifferent modules, two at each end. For example, referring to FIGS. 1and 2, three different modules 60E, 60F and 60G may be interconnected ata common junction in the manner illustrated. Thus, the hinge membersalong one edge of the inserting end of the module 60F are lowered intoengagement with the hinge members along the rear edge of the receivingend of the module 606, while the hinge members along one edge of theinserting end of the module 60E are lowered into engagement with thehinge memgers along the front edge of the receiving end of the module606. In this type of interconnection, both the modules 60F and 606 arepivotally movable with respect to the module 60F through angles of about180. Accordingly, this type of interconnection permits the modules 60E,60F 60G to be arranged in the Y configuration shown, or in a Tconfiguration or any variation of either. It will, of course, also beappreciated that either or both of the modules 60F and 606 could bepivotally coupled to the module 60E in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9.

While the standard type of module illustrated in FIG. will not permitthree adjacent modules to be locked together at a common junction, suchan interlocking could be made possible by simply altering the hingearrangement on one of the end members 60 of one of the modules 60. Moreparticularly, if the positions of the upper and lower hinge membersalong. the front edge (as viewed in FIG. 2) of the inserting end of themodule 60E were reversed, so that they matched the positions of thehinge members at the receiving end of the mod ule 60E, it will beapparent that after the module 605 is coupled to the module 60F in themanner described above, the hinge members on the inserting end of themodule 600 could be lowered into simultaneous engagement with themodules 60E and 60F to form the interlocking junction.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1, and 2, it is also possible in the presentinvention to interconnect four adjacent modules 60 at a common junction,such as the junction of the modules 60A to 60D. This type ofinterconnection is basically the same as the three moduleinterconnection described above, but the module 60A is simply swung outsufficiently to permit the addition of module 60D to the chain in anobvious manner. It will be apparent that in this same manner any desirednumber of modules 60 may be interconnected at a common junction,generally as spokes of a wheel about a common hub, the pivotalinterconnection of the modules permit? ting any desired angular spacingbetween the adjacent modules. It will also be appreciated that the fourmodules 60A through 60D could be securely locked together by simplylowering the hinge members on the inserting end of the module 60C intoengagement with the hinge members along the front edges of the receivingends of the modules 60B and 60D and by lowering the hinge members on theinserting end of the module 60A simultaneously into engagement with thehinge members on the rear edges of the receiving ends of the modules 608and 60D.

While in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the module 60 willnormally be constructed in the standard form illustrated in FIG. 10 forease of manufacture, it will be readily appreciated that variations inthis standard form could be made. Thus, as described above, differentarrangements of the hinge members and could be effected on one or moreof the end members 90. Even more simply, the standard end members 90illustrated in FIG. 10 could be arranged in the same configuration(inserting or receiving) at both ends of the module 60 instead of in theopposite configuration illustrated in FIG. 10. Thus, for example, it ispossible to arrange the end members 90 on both ends of the module 60E inthe receiving configuration, so that the inserting ends of the modules60F and 606 could simply be lowered into engagement with the lefthandend of 60E, as viewed in FIG. 2, thereby simplifying the assembly of theroom divider 50. However, normally, the module 60 will be constructed inthe stan dard form illustrated in FIG. 10, since such standardizationproduces obvious economies in production, inventory, etc.

It should be noted that, while for convenience reference has been madein this specification to the front and rear edges of the module 60,these terms are purely relative, since either side of the module 60could be termed the front side, depending upon the arrangement of themodule in a particular room divider. More particularly, referring toFIG. 10, it will be observed that the module 60 is bilaterallysymmetrical with respect to a plane disposed parallel to the outer sidesurfaces 72 and 73 of the panel substrate 71 and midway therebetween. Inaddition, it will be appreciated that the inserting" and receiving endsof the module 60 shown in FIG. may be reversed by simply inverting themodule 60.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a novelmodular room divider of simple and economical construction, which ischaracterized by ease and simplicity of assembly.

There has also been provided room divider modules having a uniquearrangement of hinge members thereon to permit quick and easy assemblyof a plurality of modules into an infinite number of differentconfigurations. More particularly, the unique arrangement of couplinghinges permits each divider module to be simultaneously pivotallycoupled to as many as four different adjacent divider modules, and alsopermits adjacent modules to be locked together so as to prevent pivotalmovement thereof with respect to each other.

There has also been provided a room divider module having a supportpedestal and leveling screws to sup port the panel module apredetermined distance above an underlying support surface, despiteirregularities in such a surface.

There has also been provided a novel terminal member for attachment otthe free ends of the modules comprising a module room divider, so as toprovide a decorative and safe cover for the hinge members on these freemodule ends.

Finally, there has been provided a room divider module having mountingopenings therein for supporting in different positions thereon variouspieces of associated accessory equipment. I

While there has been described what is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein and it is intended to cover inthe appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A modular room divider comprising a plurality of interconnecteddivider modules, each of said divider modules includint an upstandingpanel and two sets of hinge members, one of said two sets of hingemembers being respectively fixedly mounted on said panel adjacent toeach opposite side edge thereof, each of said sets of hinge membersincluding two vertically spaced pairs of hinge elements, one of saidvertically spaced pairs being female elements and the other of saidpairs being male elements, the female elements at one side edge beinghorizontally aligned with the male elements at the other side edge andbeing located near the top of said panel, the others of said pairs ofhinge elements being horizontally aligned and being located near thebottom of said panel, each of the vertically spaced pairs comprising ahorizontally spaced pair of hinge elements respectively fixedly disposedadjacent to the two spaced-apart front and back surfaces of said panel,whereby one of said sets of hinge members is constructed and arrangedcomplementary to the other of said sets of hinge members for couplingengagement to provide a pivotal coupling between adjacent modules,whereby each divider module may be simultaneously pivotally coupled atsaid two vertically spaced elevations to as many as two other dividermodules at each side edge to form said room divider and to accommodatearrangement thereof in numerous different configurations.

2. The modular room divider set forth in claim 1, wherein each of thefront and back surfaces of said panel is substantially rectangular withthe opposite side edges thereof being disposed substantially vertically.

3. The modular room divider set forth in claim 1, wherein said panel hasupper and lower surfaces each provided with a longitudinally extendinggroove therein, and further including'upper and lower finishing stripsfor respectively covering the upper and lower surfaces of said panel,each of said finishing strips having a toothed attachment flangereceivable in the adjacent groove for grippingly engaging said panel tosecurely hold said finishing strip thereon.

4. The modular room divider set forth in claim 1, and further includinga plurality of terminal members equal in number to the free ends of themodules of said divider, each of said terminal members including anelongated body having two outer side surfaces spaced apart a distanceequal to the spacing between the front and back surfaces of said panels,two spaced-apart hinge members respectively fixedly disposed adjacent tothe two outer side surfaces of said terminal member, said hinge membersbeing respectively constructed and arranged complementary to the hingemembers on the free end of the adjacent module for engagement therewith,whereby the hinge members on the free ends of said modules may becovered and prevented from interfering with adjacent traffic.

5. The room divider module set forth in claim 1 and having two openingsat the bottom of said panel respectively disposed adjacent to theopposite side edges thereof, a pedestal including a horizontallyextending base having a flat bottom surface for supporting said pedestalon an underlying support surface and an attachment leg secured to saidbase intermediate the ends thereof and extending vertically upwardly,therefrom, said attachment leg being receivable in one of said openingsin said panel for attachment thereto to support said panel apredetermined distance above an associated underlying support surface,whereby said divider module may be supported in a stable uprightposition on an underlying support surface by said support pedestal.

6. The room divider module set forth in claim 5, and further includingan adjustable leveling member receivable in the other of said openingsin said panel, said leveling member being extendable a variable distancebelow the bottom surface of said panel for engagement with theunderlying support surface, whereby said leveling member cooperates withsaid support pedestal for maintaining said module in a substantiallylevel upright position.

7. A modular room divider comprising a plurality of interconnecteddivider modules, each of said divider modules including an upstandingpanel and a first set of hinge members and a second set of hingemembers, said first set of hinge members being carried by said paneladjacent to one side edge thereof and including two vertically spacedpairs of hinge members, one of Which pairs is male and the other ofwhiclh is female respectively disposed adjacent to the two spaced-apartfront and back surfaces of said panel at vertically spaced elevations,said second set of second hinge members being carried by said paneladjacent to the opposite side edge thereof and including two verticallyspaced pairs of hinge members, one of which pairs is male and the otherof which is female respectively disposed adjacent to the twospaced-apart front and back surfaces of said panel at vertically spacedelevations, the female hinge members in said first set being disposednear the top of the panel and in horizontal alignment with and arrangedcomplementary to the male hinge members in said second set, and the malehinge members in said first set being disposed near the bottom of thepanel and in horizontal alignment with and arranged complementary to thefemale hinge members in said second set, whereby each divider module maybe simultaneously pivotally coupled at two vertically spaced elevationsto as many as two other adjacent divider modules at each side edge toform said room divider and to accommodate arrangement thereof innumerous different configurations.

8. The room divider module set forth in claim 7,

wherein each male hinge member includes a pintle, and each female hingemember includes a socket.

9. A modular room divider for partioning a room and mounting associatedaccessory equipment therein, said modular room divider comprising aplurality of interconnected divider modules, each of said dividermodules including an upstanding panel body having two spaced-apart frontand back surfaces, two hinging assemblies respectively connected to saidpanel body at the opposite side edges thereof, each of said hinging as-'semblies including an upright panel end member and a set of hingingmembers fixedly mounted on said end member, said panel end member beingconnected to the adjacent end of said panel body and having twospaced-apart front and back surfaces respectively disposed in useadjacent to the front and back surfaces of said panel body, at least oneof the front and back surfaces of said panel end member being providedwith a plurality of spaced-apart and vertically aligned mountingopenings therein, the mounting openings in each end member beingrespectively disposed in use substantially in horizontal alignment withthe mounting openings in the other end member on said module forcooperation therewith in receiving mounting members of the associatedaccessory equipment to support such equipment on said module, each saidset of hinging members including two vertically spaced pairs of hingeelements, one of said vertically spaced pairs being female elements andthe other of said pairs being male elements, the female elements at oneside edge being horizontally aligned with the male elements of the otherside edge and located near the top of said panel end member, the othersof said pairs of hinge elements being horizontally aligned and beinglocated near the bottom of said panel end member, each of the verticallyspaced pairs comprising a horizontally spaced pair of hinge elementsrespectively fixedly disposed adjacent to the front and back surfaces ofsaid panel end member, each of said sets of hinging members beingconstructed and arranged complementary to a corresponding hinging memberon an adjacent module for coupling engagement therewith to provide apivotal coupling therebetween, whereby each divider module may besimultaneously pivotally coupled to as many as two other divider modulesat each side edge to form said room divider and to accommodatearrangement thereof in numerous different configurations whilesupporting associated accessory equipment thereon.

- and closing the open ends thereof.

10. The modular room divider set forth in claim 9, wherein each malehinge element includes a pintle, and each female hinge element includesa socket, each of said sockets being constructed and arrangedcomplementary to one of said pintles.

11. The module room divider set forth in claim 9, wherein each of saidpanel end members is removably attached to the adjacent side edge ofsaid panel.

12. The room divider module set forth in claim 9, wherein each of saidpanel end members is substantially tubular in construction and generallyrectangular in transverse cross section, each of said panel end membersfurther including an end cap receivable in 13. A room divider module forinterconnection with associated like modules to form a modular roomdivider and to support associated accessory equipment thereon, said roomdivider module comprising an upstanding panel body having twospaced-apart outer side surfaces, first and second coupling assembliesrespectively connected to said panel body at the opposite ends thereof,said first coupling assembly including a first upright panel end memberand a pair of spaced apart male hinge members carried by said end memberadjacent to the upper end thereof and a pair of spacedapart female hingemembers carried by said end member adjacent to the lower end thereof,said second coupling assembly including a second upright panel endmember and a pair of spaced'apart male hinge members carried by saidsecond end member adjacent to the lower end thereof and a pair of spacedapart female hinge members carried by said second end member adjacent tothe upper end thereof, each of said panel end members being of hollowtubular construction and being substantially rectangular in transversecross section, each of said panel end members being connected to theadjacent end of said panel body and having two spaced-apart outer sidesurfaces respectively disposed in use adjacent to the two outer sidesurfaces of said panel body, at least one of the outer side surfaces ofeach of said panel end members being provided with a plurality ofspaced-apart and vertically aligned mounting openings therein, themounting openings in said first end member being respectively disposedin use substantially in horizontal alignment with the mounting openingsin said second end member for cooperation therewith in receivingmounting members of the associated accessory equipment to support suchequipment on said module, the coupling members of each pair thereofbeing respectively fixedly disposed adjacent to the two outer sidesurfaces of the associated panel end member, each of said upper malehinge members being constructed and arranged complementary to one ofsais upper female hinge members and each of said lower male hingemembers being constructed and arranged complementary to one of saidlower female hinge members, a support leg including a horizontallyextending base member having a flat bottom surface for supporting saidleg on an underlying support surface and an attachment member secured tosaid base member inter mediate the ends thereof and extending verticallyupwardly therefrom, said attachment member being receivable in the lowerend of one of said tubular panel end'members for attachment thereto withsaid base member extending laterally of said panel to support said panelin a stable upright position on the associated support surface, wherebysaid room divider module may be supported by said support leg in astable upright commodate arrangement thereof in numerous differentposition on an underlying support surface and may be configurationswhile supporting accessory equipment simultaneously pivotally coupled toa plurality of assothereon.

ciated divider modules to form a room divider and ac- UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE v CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,871,435

P '1 DATED March 18, 1975 8" INVENTORtS) Dale R. Lopatka It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 2, after "This" insert is line 36, "second" ismisspelled;

Column 2, line 1, "members" is misspelled;

Column 4, line 25, "in" should be is Column 8, line 1, after "male"insert hinge 4 line 41, after "hinge" insert members Column 9, line 56,"members" is missiaelled;

Column ll, line 27, "01:" should be to line 44, "including" ismisspelled;

UNITED STATES PATENT @FFICE CERTIFICATE CF CCCTECN Patent NO. 1 M DatedMarch 18, 7

Inventor(s) Dale R. opatka Page 2 It is certified that error appears inthe above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column l2, line 65, "which" (second occurrence) is misspelled;

Column 1 line 54 (claim 15, line 39) "said" is misspelled Signed andsealed this 20th day of May 1975,

(SEAL) AtbeSt:

Ca MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks RUTH C. MASONAttesting Officer

1. A modular room divider comprising a plurality of interconnecteddivider modules, each of said divider modules includint an upstandingpanel and two sets of hinge members, one of said two sets of hingemembers being respectively fixedly mounted on said panel adjacent toeach opposite side edge thereof, each of said sets of hinge membersincluding two vertically spaced pairs of hinge elements, one of saidvertically spaced pairs being female elements and the other of saidpairs being male elements, the female elements at one side edge beinghorizontally aligned with the male elements at the other side edge andbeing located near the top of said panel, the others of said pairs ofhinge elements being horizontally aligned and being located near thebottom of said panel, each of the vertically spaced pairs comprising ahorizontally spaced pair of hinge elements respectively fixedly disposedadjacent to the two spaced-apart front and back surfaces of said panel,whereby one of said sets of hinge members is constructed and arrangedcomplementary to the other of said sets of hinge members for couplingengagement to provide a pivotal coupling between adjacent modules,whereby each divider module may be simultaneously pivotally coupled atsaid two vertically spaced elevations to as many as two other dividermodules at each side edge to form said room divider and to accommodatearrangement thereof in numerous different configurations.
 2. The modularroom divider set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the front and backsurfaces of said panel is substantially rectangular with the oppositeside edges thereof being disposed substantially vertically.
 3. Themodular room divider set forth in claim 1, wherein said panel has upperand lower surfaces each provided with a longitudinally extending groovetherein, and further including upper and lower finishing strips forrespectively covering the upper and lower surfaces of said panel, eachof said finishing strips having a toothed attachment flange receivablein the adjacent groove for grippingly engaging said panel to securelyhold said finishing strip thereon.
 4. The modular room divider set forthin claim 1, and further including a plurality of terminal members equalin number to the free ends of the modules of said divider, each of saidterminal members including an elongated body having two outer sidesurfaces spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing between the frontand back surfaces of said panels, two spaced-apart hinge membersrespectively fixedly disposed adjacent to the two outer side surfaces ofsaid terminal member, said hinge members being respectively constructedand arranged complementary to the hinge members on the free end of theadjacent module for engagement therewith, whereby the hinge members onthe free ends of said modules may be covered and prevented frominterfering with adjacent traffic.
 5. The room divider module set forthin claim 1 and having two openings at the bottom of said panelrespectively disposed adjacent to the opposite side edges thereof, apedestal including a horizontally extending base having a flat bottomsurface for supporting said pedestal on an underlying support surfaceand an attachment leg secured to said base intermediate the ends thereofand extending vertically upwardly, therefrom, said attachment leg beingreceivable in one of said openings in said panel for attachment theretoto support said panel a predetermined distance above an associatedunderlying support surface, whereby said divider module may be supportedin a stable upright position on an underlying support surface by saidsupport pedestal.
 6. The room divider module set forth in claim 5, andfurther including an adjustable leveling member receivable in the otherof said openings in said panel, said leveling member being extendable avariable distance below the bottom surface of said panel for engagementwith the underlying support surface, whereby said leveling membercooperates with said support pedestal for maintaining said module in asubstantially level upright position.
 7. A modular room dividercomprising a plurality of interconnected divider modules, each of saiddivider modules including an upstanding panel and a first set of hingemembers and a second set of hinge members, said first set of hingemembers being carried by said panel adjacent to one side edge thereofand including two vertically spaced pairs of hinge members, one of whichpairs is male and the other of whiclh is female respectively disposedadjacent to the two spaced-apart front and back surfaces of said panelat vertically spaced elevations, said second set of second hinge membersbeing carried by said panel adjacent to the opposite side edge thereofand including two vertically spaced pairs of hinge members, one of whichpairs is male and the other of which is female respectively disposedadjacent to the two spaced-apart front and back surfaces of said panelat vertically spaced elevations, the female hinge members in said firstset being disposed near the top of the panel and in horizontal alignmentwith and arranged complementary to the male hinge members in said secondset, and the male hinge members in said first set being disposed nearthe bottom of the panel and in horizontal alignment with and arrangedcomplementary to the female hinge members in said second set, wherebyeach divider module may be simultaneously pivotally coupled at twovertically spaced elevations to as many as two other adjacent dividermodules at each side edge to form said room divider and to accommodateArrangement thereof in numerous different configurations.
 8. The roomdivider module set forth in claim 7, wherein each male hinge memberincludes a pintle, and each female hinge member includes a socket.
 9. Amodular room divider for partioning a room and mounting associatedaccessory equipment therein, said modular room divider comprising aplurality of interconnected divider modules, each of said dividermodules including an upstanding panel body having two spaced-apart frontand back surfaces, two hinging assemblies respectively connected to saidpanel body at the opposite side edges thereof, each of said hingingassemblies including an upright panel end member and a set of hingingmembers fixedly mounted on said end member, said panel end member beingconnected to the adjacent end of said panel body and having twospaced-apart front and back surfaces respectively disposed in useadjacent to the front and back surfaces of said panel body, at least oneof the front and back surfaces of said panel end member being providedwith a plurality of spaced-apart and vertically aligned mountingopenings therein, the mounting openings in each end member beingrespectively disposed in use substantially in horizontal alignment withthe mounting openings in the other end member on said module forcooperation therewith in receiving mounting members of the associatedaccessory equipment to support such equipment on said module, each saidset of hinging members including two vertically spaced pairs of hingeelements, one of said vertically spaced pairs being female elements andthe other of said pairs being male elements, the female elements at oneside edge being horizontally aligned with the male elements of the otherside edge and located near the top of said panel end member, the othersof said pairs of hinge elements being horizontally aligned and beinglocated near the bottom of said panel end member, each of the verticallyspaced pairs comprising a horizontally spaced pair of hinge elementsrespectively fixedly disposed adjacent to the front and back surfaces ofsaid panel end member, each of said sets of hinging members beingconstructed and arranged complementary to a corresponding hinging memberon an adjacent module for coupling engagement therewith to provide apivotal coupling therebetween, whereby each divider module may besimultaneously pivotally coupled to as many as two other divider modulesat each side edge to form said room divider and to accommodatearrangement thereof in numerous different configurations whilesupporting associated accessory equipment thereon.
 10. The modular roomdivider set forth in claim 9, wherein each male hinge element includes apintle, and each female hinge element includes a socket, each of saidsockets being constructed and arranged complementary to one of saidpintles.
 11. The module room divider set forth in claim 9, wherein eachof said panel end members is removably attached to the adjacent sideedge of said panel.
 12. The room divider module set forth in claim 9,wherein each of said panel end members is substantially tubular inconstruction and generally rectangular in transverse cross section, eachof said panel end members further including an end cap receivable in andclosing the open ends thereof.
 13. A room divider module forinterconnection with associated like modules to form a modular roomdivider and to support associated accessory equipment thereon, said roomdivider module comprising an upstanding panel body having twospaced-apart outer side surfaces, first and second coupling assembliesrespectively connected to said panel body at the opposite ends thereof,said first coupling assembly including a first upright panel end memberand a pair of spaced-apart male hinge members carried by said end memberadjacent to the upper end thereof and a pair of spaced-apart femalehinge members carried by said end member adjacent to the lower endthereof, said second coupling assembly including a second uprighT panelend member and a pair of spaced-apart male hinge members carried by saidsecond end member adjacent to the lower end thereof and a pair ofspaced-apart female hinge members carried by said second end memberadjacent to the upper end thereof, each of said panel end members beingof hollow tubular construction and being substantially rectangular intransverse cross section, each of said panel end members being connectedto the adjacent end of said panel body and having two spaced-apart outerside surfaces respectively disposed in use adjacent to the two outerside surfaces of said panel body, at least one of the outer sidesurfaces of each of said panel end members being provided with aplurality of spaced-apart and vertically aligned mounting openingstherein, the mounting openings in said first end member beingrespectively disposed in use substantially in horizontal alignment withthe mounting openings in said second end member for cooperationtherewith in receiving mounting members of the associated accessoryequipment to support such equipment on said module, the coupling membersof each pair thereof being respectively fixedly disposed adjacent to thetwo outer side surfaces of the associated panel end member, each of saidupper male hinge members being constructed and arranged complementary toone of sais upper female hinge members and each of said lower male hingemembers being constructed and arranged complementary to one of saidlower female hinge members, a support leg including a horizontallyextending base member having a flat bottom surface for supporting saidleg on an underlying support surface and an attachment member secured tosaid base member intermediate the ends thereof and extending verticallyupwardly therefrom, said attachment member being receivable in the lowerend of one of said tubular panel end members for attachment thereto withsaid base member extending laterally of said panel to support said panelin a stable upright position on the associated support surface, wherebysaid room divider module may be supported by said support leg in astable upright position on an underlying support surface and may besimultaneously pivotally coupled to a plurality of associated dividermodules to form a room divider and accommodate arrangement thereof innumerous different configurations while supporting accessory equipmentthereon.